The BBC One drama Last Tango In Halifax has been commissioned for a second series while the first one is still airing.

Written and created by Sally Wainwright and made by Red Production Company, the series - which sees would-be childhood sweethearts Alan Buttershaw, played by Derek Jacobi, and Celia Dawson (Anne Reid) reunited after 60 years - has been the biggest new mid-week drama on any channel this year, with the programme attracting an average consolidated audience of 7.1 million.

As with the first series, the second one is understood to be of six episodes, and a Red Production Company spokeswoman told News In Time And Space that filming was likely to start next June. The transmission date is yet to be fixed.

This recommission becomes the fifth successful new returning drama series to be launched on BBC One this year, with the others being The Syndicate, Prisoners' Wives, The Paradise, and Call The Midwife.

BBC One Controller Danny Cohen said:

Last Tango In Halifax tops off a fantastic year for new returning drama series on BBC One, making it five hits to celebrate. Sally Wainwright's scripts and the outstanding cast have unearthed an absolute gem that is captivating audiences of all ages, making it the biggest mid-week drama launch on any channel in 2012.

Sally Wainwright said:

I'm thrilled by the amazing response we've had to Last Tango. People seem to have really engaged with it, and with the wonderful performances of the actors, and I couldn't be happier about being given the chance to take the story further.

Ben Stephenson, Controller of BBC Drama Commissioning, said:

The brilliant scripts, characters, and stories told in Last Tango In Halifax have been so affectionately received by the British public that we couldn't resist a second series. The wonderful cast bring Sally's extraordinary evocation of family life together with real originality and warmth, and I for one can't wait to see what happens in series two!

Co-executive producer Nicola Shindler added:

We're simply delighted! I've been overwhelmed by the audience's reaction to Last Tango In Halifax. With such great characters and fantastic scripts there are so many stories still to tell and we can't wait to get started in series two.

The final two episodes of the current series will air on Tuesday 18th December and Wednesday 19th December on BBC One at 9pm on both days.